Bosnia, a Balkan gem nestled in the heart of the Peninsula, has everything you’d expect culinary-wise from a Balkan country and then some. You see, Bosnians are not Christians like most people on the Balkan and their cuisine has been a lot more influenced by the Ottomans than other local cuisine and in this article we’ll cover some of the most popular Bosnian snacks, from savory burek to sweet tufahija.
Let’s start from the very basics…
Meze Platter- A Definition Of Bosnian Snacks
The meze (also spelled ‘mezze’) concept originates from the Middle East and Mediterranean but has found a unique expression in Bosnian cuisine and it’s one of the most important social affairs in the country. It’s always served for a small group before a meal with tiny portions of different dishes and usually served alongside a glass of rakija. The star of any Bosnian meze platter are the local cheeses like Travnički cheese, a tangy white cheese, Kajmak, a creamy dairy product similar to clotted cream, etc. Then there’s ‘suho meso’, a type of smoked and dried meat and a variety of pickled vegetables known as ‘Turšija’ or fresh salads, depending on the season.
Buredžici
As you might suspect from its name, this delicious snack is basically a mini version of the famous burek, one of the most popular and beloved snacks/pastries across the Balkans. The mini versions are made of the same phyllo dough, just crumbled into smaller pieces (locally it’s known as ‘jufke’), which is usually stuffed with minced meat. The final result is a mini burek version wit the same texture and almost same flavor that can be eaten in a single bite
Klepe
Klepe is the Bosnian version of tortellini, in its essence, humble dumplings that often go unassuming, but are absolutely delicious and completely underrated. The tiny dumplings are usually stuffed with minced meat or cheese, and topped with a deliciously tangy sauce made of yogurt, resulting in a tasty snack that melts in your mouth, perfect for any time of the day.
Hercegovački Uštipci
As you probably already know, uštipci is one of the most versatile Balkan snacks that can be mixed and eaten with sweet, savory, or salty sides and toppings. In the Balkans it’s a dish that requires no special introduction. But the Bosnians have made their own version, originating from the region of Hercegovina which basically uses the same ingredients but makes pastries that are much thinner, longer, and usually shaped in rectangles. The texture is also slightly different as this version, because thinner, is also a lot crunchier.
Kiflice
These crescent-shaped pastries are like a mixture of croissantsand kifle. They have a similar shape and can be filled with a variety of different fillings, including sweet jams, rich nuts, creme, chocolate sauce, vanilla creme, caramel, etc. Crispy on the outside but juicy and sweet on the inside, it’s one of Slovenia’s most popular pastries.
Burek
Burek (also known as byrek in Albania), as previously briefly mentioned, is the undisputed champion of Bosnian comfort food. It’s one of the most popular breakfast choices, one of the most popular street food items, and of course, one of the most popular Bosnian snacks. This savory local pastry is a coiled consists of thin layers of phyllo dough filled with a robust mix of spiced ground meat or local cheese. The final result is a crispy-on-the-outside, hearty-on-the-inside delight that satisfies on every level.
Enjoying this post? Then you should also definitely check out our list of our favorite Croatian snacks.
Kljukuša
Kljukuša is a rustic, heart-warming concoction that looks very similar to American hashbrowns but much better, with a flavor that is bound to leave you craving for more. The beauty of Kljukuša lies in its simplicity- it’s basically a mix of grated potatoes and flour baked into a unique dish with a deliciously crusty top and a soft, hearty interior. It’s usually served for breakfast but it can also be eaten as a snack or even a side dish for lunch/dinner, making it one of the most versatile snacks in Bosnia.
Prijesnac
Prijesnac is the kind of Bosnian snack that makes addictions come true- it’s simple yet delicious and always leaves you craving for more. Its mixture consists of a blend of eggs, cheese, and semolina, baked to a golden perfection until t becomes a round pie that at a glance looks very similar to burek but this one is fatter, softer, and has a more creamy filling. Prijesnac is typically served as a side dish, complementing a wide array of Bosnian meats, but it can also be eaten on its own as a snack or even for breakfast in Bosnia.
Gibanica
Gibanica is a Serbian pastry that is popular across the region, and Bosnia is no exception. It can be described as a filo dough pie (burek’s cousin) most commonly filled with white cheese (sirene) but there are also some sweet variations. Today, this pastry is popular all over the Balkans and similar variations can be found in some other Slavic countries too.
Uštipci S Lučnicom
Uštipci S Lučnicom is yet another Bosnian ustipci variation which shows you just how much Bosnians love these little pastries. This one also originates from the region of Herzegovina and features the usual delectable fritters, bathed in a combo of homemade sour milk, butter, and garlic.
Sarma/Japrak/Dolma
At their core, all three of these Bosnian snacks feature a mixture of meat and rice or (less common) bulgur wheat, used as a filling for cooked vegetables like cabbage, pepper, tomato, onion, grapevine leaves, and so on- the list is practically endless.
Sarma, popular in most Slavic countries is a mixture of rice and ground meat rolled in a sauerkraut leaf). Japrak is a dish that uses the same concept but uses grape leaves, instead of sauerkraut– yes, it’s basically the Bosnian name for Dolma, which is widespread throughout the Middle East, and the Balkans (including Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, and Montenegro). Last but not least, there’s also shogan dolma which consists of wrapping the mixture for rice and meat inside an onion.x
Turšija
Imports and exports are a luxury of modern times but for people living back in the days, this wasn’t always the case. During the cold winters, people didn’t have access to vegetables, and had to come up with a way to preserve them and store them for the winter. This gave birth to turshija, a term that refers to the pickled version of practically every vegetable you can imagine. Bosnians ferment cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, peppers tomatoes, cauliflower, etc. and it’s an awesome snack.
Suho Meso
Literally translating to “dry meat,” suho meso is a type of smoked beef, marinated with a special mixture of local herbs and spices and left to air-dry in a smokehouse for several weeks. Over time, the meat absorbs the smoky aroma, and develops in a delicious smoky meat with a rich flavor that’s intense and uniquely Bosnian. The end product, Suho Meso, is usually sliced thin and served as part of a mezze platter, or even eaten as a snack on its own.
Ražnjići
Ražnjići are Bosnia’s favorite skewers of marinated meat, traditionally chicken, beef, or pork in the parts of Republika Srpska. It’s a simple dish that just consists of marinated cuts of meat grilled to smokey perfection, eaten straight from the skewer, usually alongside a pint of cold local beer.
Bosnian Ćevapi
Bosnian Ćevapi is a simple dish consisting of minced meat shaped as finger-size sausages, but as simple as it may seem, it’i an absolute a culinary symbol of Bosnia and the entire Balkan region. Ćevapi, or Ćevapčići in diminutive, are small, oblong-shaped kebabs typically made from a mix of minced beef, lamb, and sometimes pork seasoned with salt, black pepper, onion, and sometimes garlic, resulting in mini sausages, completely juicy on the inside, traditionally served nestled in a fluffy pocket of lepinja, a local flatbread, along with a raw onions and a dollop of kajmak.
Smoki
Smoki is a delicious Balkan snack that is basically crunchy peanut-flavored puffs. Or at least that’s how it started, nowadays you can find smoki in many different flavors like cheese, pizza, etc. and thanks to globalisation, you can probably find this delicious snack even in your local supermaket.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our list of the best Croatian appetizers.
Kviki
Originating from Serbia and widely popular across the Balkans, Kviki is a brand of snacks that is basically thing baked pretzels and grissini (thin breadsticks) of corn and rice puffs. Both varieties are super crunchy, salty, and flavorful, making them a perfect companion to a glass of cold beer. There are also adventurous version these days, like Kiki with paprika, cheese, or even pizza-flavored.
Gurabija
Gurabija is a cookie that technically originates from the Middle East, was introduced to the Balkans by the Ottomans, and it’s still popular throughout the Balkans, Bosnia included. It’s a simple yet delicious sweet– a delicate, buttery cookie typically made from a dough of flour, sugar, butter, and a touch of vanilla and citrus zest. This soft dough is shaped into small discs or crescents, baked and gives birth to the final version- a golden, crumbly cookie with a sweet buttery flavor, perfect to have on the side with a cup of coffee or tea.
Lokum
You might know it as ‘Turkish delight’, but in the Balkans, it’s called ‘Lokum’ and you can see it everywhere, from street food stalls and open bazaars, to bakeries, and fancy restaurants. In its essence, it’s a gell-like treat that looks like a combination of a yellow and marshmallow, softer than the latter one but firmer than the former one.It ’s made from sugar, starch, rosewater, and pieces of nuts inside that give it a nice crunchy texture to compliment the soft, jello-like feel.
Medeno Srce
Medeno Srce is essentially a heart-shaped, honey-infused gingerbread cookie, hand-decorated, with a sweet icing that’s often chocolate-y but can come in many different colors. It can be homemade but there is also a packaged version sold by a company named Pionir, specialising in tasty dessert-like snacks and chocolates.
Bosnian Coffee
Last but not least, we round up this list of Bosnian snacks with Bosnian coffee. Also known as ‘Bosanska kafa’, this is more than a daily pick-me-up; it’s an integral part of Bosnian hospitality and a symbol of friendship and respect, it’s basically the same as Turkish coffee, includes the same preparation method of boiling in džezva and served in tiny, traditional cups called ‘fildžan’.
Did you try any of these Bosnian snacks? If not, which one would you like to try first? Do you think there are some other Bosnian snacks we should mention on our list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
